Police heroes of Arena bombing are honoured

THE brave men and women who were first on the scene in the immediate aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing will remember that day forever.

Now, the courageous British Transport Police officers and staff, as well as workers from Northern Rail and Carlisle Support Services, have been formally recognised for their response on the night of May 22.

Pc Jessica Bullough, PCSO Mark Renshaw, PCSO Jon Morrey and PCSO Lewis Brown were the first officers at the scene.

All four have been highly commended by BTP chief constable Paul Crowther for their efforts that night and were presented with their awards during a moving ceremony at Manchester Town Hall.

Jess had been working in the job less than a year when she and Mark, 24, ran towards the scene of devastation without hesitation.

“There’s a guy I know who has been 30 years on the job and he said he had never experienced anything like it.” said 21-year-old Jess. “Experience counts for nothing in that situation.”

Jess and Mark were on duty together outside the Arena when they heard a ‘piercing’ explosion just after 10.30pm.

She said: “We were just chatting and we heard a massive explosion. We both went into it not realising what we were going into.

“As we were walking in we saw people on the floor and I remember the smell. The smell will stay with us forever. It was like gunpowder.

“People were screaming. We looked at each other and thought ‘this is serious’.”

Jess administered CPR to a woman but had to deliver the devastating news to her loved ones that she had not survived.

Meanwhile, Mark ran to get first aid packs before returning to the scene.

At that point a little girl tugged at his clothing and asked: ‘Can you help my mummy?’

Though there was nothing he could do to save the mother, Mark stayed with the little girl until he could leave her in the safe hands of a police officer.

He then walked back up the stairs and tried to resuscitate two people, who both died, before helping a badly injured 12-year-old girl.

“It was horrific,” he said. “It really shook me up but I did all I could to assist the victims on the night.”

PCSOs Jon Morrey and Lewis Brown were also two of the first ●●With their commendations at Manchester Town Hall are, from the left, PCSO Lewis Brown, Pc Jessica Bullough, PCSO Mark Renshaw and PCSO Jon Morrey officers on the scene.

Lewis, 25, was only six weeks into his probationary period when he was plunged into the unimaginable chaos.

“I was at the foot of the stairs and as people were starting to leave I heard an explosion followed by screams and people running out,” he said.

“We were shocked at what we saw. There were multiple people - some were dead already. It was just a case of giving first aid and providing support.”

Ripping up makeshift bandages to prevent further blood loss, he treated the wounded and then stayed at the scene offering comfort to those in need.

He said: “I can remember the shock of one man whose partner had really serious injuries.

“He had a blank expression, he must have been in shock.

“You had to put it to the back of your mind that there might be a second explosion and just help.”

Despite the horror he had witnessed, Lewis was back in work the following week.

He added: “It’s a real honour to be here.

“It’s been quite an intense day reliving it all. But it’s great to have this recognition.”

As well as the four officers first on the scene, dozens more, as well as Northern Rail and Carlisle Support Services staff, were handed commendations from the Chief Constable.

Among the officers and staff to receive commendations was Inspector Philippa Smith, who travelled from London to Manchester in the hours immediately after the attack to help identify the bodies of those who had been killed.

Identifying the victims took days, but Insp Smith and her 25 colleagues worked to ensure each one was given the utmost respect and dignity.

“It’s really nice to get recognition for what we do because it’s a very difficult and emotionally draining job,” Insp Smith said.

“The scene I was met with and the devastation was immense and there was nothing I could have prepared myself for beforehand.”

Praising his staff members, British Transport Police Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: “Their courage, professionalism and compassion was outstanding, and the force is proud of them.”